What is the Difference Between Somatic Variation and Germinal Variation?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Somatic variation and germinal variation are two types of genetic changes that occur in cells. They differ in several aspects, including their occurrence, inheritance, and association with evolution:
Somatic Variation:
- Occurs in somatic cells (non-reproductive cells).
- Changes are not inherited from one generation to another.
- Affects an individual's health but not their offspring's health.
- Shows a higher rate of mutation.
- Also known as acquired variation.
- Not associated with evolution.
Germinal Variation:
- Occurs in germ cells (reproductive cells).
- Changes are inherited from one generation to another.
- Affects an individual's health and can be passed on to their offspring.
- Shows a lower rate of mutation.
- Also known as blastogenic variation.
- Associated with evolution.
In summary, the key difference between somatic and germinal variation is the cell type in which the genetic changes occur. Somatic variations occur in non-reproductive cells and are not inherited, while germinal variations occur in reproductive cells and are inherited from one generation to another.
Comparative Table: Somatic Variation vs Germinal Variation
Here is a table comparing somatic variation and germinal variation:
Feature | Somatic Variation | Germinal Variation |
---|---|---|
Definition | Occurs in somatic cells (all cells except germ cells) | Occurs in germ cells (reproductive cells) |
Inheritance | Non-heritable from one generation to another | Inherited from one generation to another |
Significance | Not significant as it is not inherited | Significant as it is inherited from parents to offsprings |
Rate of Mutation | Higher rate of mutation | Lower rate of mutation |
Synonym | Acquired variation | Blastogenic variation |
Association with Evolution | Not associated with evolution | Associated with evolution |
Somatic variations occur in non-germinal cells, tissues, structures, and processes of the body, while germinal variations are observed in the germplasm of organisms. Somatic variations are non-heritable and have a higher rate of mutation compared to germinal variations, which are inheritable and have a lower rate of mutation.
- Somatic vs Germ Cells
- Germline Mutation vs Somatic Mutation
- Somatogenic vs Blastogenic Variation
- Somatic vs Germline Gene Therapy
- Organogenesis vs Somatic Embryogenesis
- Somatic Cells vs Gametes
- Genetic Variation vs Environmental Variation
- Embryonic vs Somatic Stem Cells
- Heredity vs Variation
- Somatic Cell vs Egg Cell
- Genetic Variation vs Genetic Diversity
- Genetics vs Embryology
- Spermatogenesis vs Oogenesis
- Somatic Hypermutation vs V(D)J Recombination
- Male vs Female Germ Cell
- Spermatogenesis vs Spermiogenesis
- Gametogenesis vs Embryogenesis
- Spermiogenesis vs Spermiation
- Micropropagation vs Somatic Cell Hybridisation